The Roarhttps://www.ccsnews.net
Calvary Christian School News and Editorial
Thu, 23 Jul 2015 15:39:09 +0000 en-US
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1 https://wordpress.org/?v=5.1CCS Students Celebrate Spirit Weekhttps://www.ccsnews.net/top-stories/2013/03/07/ccs-students-celebrate-spirit-week/
https://www.ccsnews.net/top-stories/2013/03/07/ccs-students-celebrate-spirit-week/#respondThu, 07 Mar 2013 20:17:37 +0000http://www.ccsnews.net/?p=2040High School students continue to enjoy “Spirit Week” festivities by participating in fun activities and dressing according to a specific theme. Games have included teacher and bible trivia and the “human words” game. The Dress Code for Spirit week included Team Color Day, Mismatch Day, Sports Team Day, Red/White/Blue Day, and High School Team Day. The winning class will earn a week of dress down and an ice cream party.
]]>https://www.ccsnews.net/top-stories/2013/03/07/ccs-students-celebrate-spirit-week/feed/0CCS High School Seniors Eligible for $30,000 in Scholarshipshttps://www.ccsnews.net/top-stories/2013/03/07/ccs-high-school-seniors-eligible-for-30000-in-scholarships/
https://www.ccsnews.net/top-stories/2013/03/07/ccs-high-school-seniors-eligible-for-30000-in-scholarships/#respondThu, 07 Mar 2013 18:31:22 +0000http://www.ccsnews.net/?p=2032Calvary Christian School is excited to announce that we will be offering three $10,000 scholarships to our 12th grade graduating class in the areas of Academics, Leadership, and Christian Service/Ministry.

CCS is currently able to offer these privately-funded scholarships due to the generosity of donors who have chosen to express their appreciation for our school by investing in the college education of our students.

The history of Valentine’s Day–and the story of its patron saint–is shrouded in mystery. We do know that February has long been celebrated as a month of romance, and that St. Valentine’s Day, as we know it today, contains vestiges of both Christian and ancient Roman tradition. But who was Saint Valentine, and how did he become associated with this ancient rite?

The Catholic Church recognizes at least three different saints named Valentine or Valentinus, all of whom were martyred. One legend contends that Valentine was a priest who served during the third century in Rome. When Emperor Claudius II decided that single men made better soldiers than those with wives and families, he outlawed marriage for young men. Valentine, realizing the injustice of the decree, defied Claudius and continued to perform marriages for young lovers in secret. When Valentine’s actions were discovered, Claudius ordered that he be put to death.

Other stories suggest that Valentine may have been killed for attempting to help Christians escape harsh Roman prisons, where they were often beaten and tortured. According to one legend, an imprisoned Valentine actually sent the first “valentine” greeting himself after he fell in love with a young girl–possibly his jailor’s daughter–who visited him during his confinement. Before his death, it is alleged that he wrote her a letter signed “From your Valentine,” an expression that is still in use today. Although the truth behind the Valentine legends is murky, the stories all emphasize his appeal as a sympathetic, heroic and–most importantly–romantic figure. By the Middle Ages, perhaps thanks to this reputation, Valentine would become one of the most popular saints in England and France.

Origins of Valentine’s Day: A Pagan Festival in February

While some believe that Valentine’s Day is celebrated in the middle of February to commemorate the anniversary of Valentine’s death or burial–which probably occurred around A.D. 270–others claim that the Christian church may have decided to place St. Valentine’s feast day in the middle of February in an effort to “Christianize” the pagan celebration of Lupercalia. Celebrated at the ides of February, or February 15, Lupercalia was a fertility festival dedicated to Faunus, the Roman god of agriculture, as well as to the Roman founders Romulus and Remus.

To begin the festival, members of the Luperci, an order of Roman priests, would gather at a sacred cave where the infants Romulus and Remus, the founders of Rome, were believed to have been cared for by a she-wolf or lupa. The priests would sacrifice a goat, for fertility, and a dog, for purification. They would then strip the goat’s hide into strips, dip them into the sacrificial blood and take to the streets, gently slapping both women and crop fields with the goat hide. Far from being fearful, Roman women welcomed the touch of the hides because it was believed to make them more fertile in the coming year. Later in the day, according to legend, all the young women in the city would place their names in a big urn. The city’s bachelors would each choose a name and become paired for the year with his chosen woman. These matches often ended in marriage.

Valentine’s Day: A Day of Romance

Lupercalia survived the initial rise of Christianity and but was outlawed—as it was deemed “un-Christian”–at the end of the 5th century, when Pope Gelasius declared February 14 St. Valentine’s Day. It was not until much later, however, that the day became definitively associated with love. During the Middle Ages, it was commonly believed in France and England that February 14 was the beginning of birds’ mating season, which added to the idea that the middle of Valentine’s Day should be a day for romance.

Valentine greetings were popular as far back as the Middle Ages, though written Valentine’s didn’t begin to appear until after 1400. The oldest known valentine still in existence today was a poem written in 1415 by Charles, Duke of Orleans, to his wife while he was imprisoned in the Tower of London following his capture at the Battle of Agincourt. (The greeting is now part of the manuscript collection of the British Library in London, England.) Several years later, it is believed that King Henry V hired a writer named John Lydgate to compose a valentine note to Catherine of Valois.

Typical Valentine’s Day Greetings

In addition to the United States, Valentine’s Day is celebrated in Canada, Mexico, the United Kingdom, France and Australia. In Great Britain, Valentine’s Day began to be popularly celebrated around the 17th century. By the middle of the 18th, it was common for friends and lovers of all social classes to exchange small tokens of affection or handwritten notes, and by 1900 printed cards began to replace written letters due to improvements in printing technology. Ready-made cards were an easy way for people to express their emotions in a time when direct expression of one’s feelings was discouraged. Cheaper postage rates also contributed to an increase in the popularity of sending Valentine’s Day greetings.

Americans probably began exchanging hand-made valentines in the early 1700s. In the 1840s, Esther A. Howland began selling the first mass-produced valentines in America. Howland, known as the “Mother of the Valentine,” made elaborate creations with real lace, ribbons and colorful pictures known as “scrap.” Today, according to the Greeting Card Association, an estimated 1 billion Valentine’s Day cards are sent each year, making Valentine’s Day the second largest card-sending holiday of the year. (An estimated 2.6 billion cards are sent for Christmas.) Women purchase approximately 85 percent of all valentines.

February 1 – The 13th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which abolished slavery, was adopted by the 38th Congress. Ratification was completed December 6, 1865. Also in 1870, Jonathan Jasper Wright was elected to the South Carolina Supreme Court.

February 2 – Today in 1914, artist William Ellisworth is born in Washington, North Carolina. Educated at Syracuse University, he was a student of Florida artist Augusta Savage. His works were exhibited at Atlanta University, the Whitney Museum, the Two Centuries of Black American Art exhibit, Fisk University, Hampton University, the North Carolina Museum of Art and private collectors.

February 3 – Six time All-Star Bill White was named president of National League IN 1989. Former Saint Louis Cardinals first baseman Bill White is named president of the National League. He is the first African American to head a major sports league. On February 3, 1903; Jack Johnson became the first Negro Heavyweight Champion, The Negro Baseball League founded in 1920.

February 4 – Today in 1986, a stamp of Sojourner Truth is issued by the U.S. Postal Service.

February 5 – Henry “Home Run King” Aaron, baseball superstar was born in 1934.

February 6 – on this day in 1867,The Peabody Fund for Black education in the South established.

February 7 – Negro History week originated by Carter G.Woodson is observed for the first time in 1926.

February 8 – Figure skater Debi Thomas became the first African American to win the Women’s Singles of the U.S. National Figure Skating Championship competition, was a pre-med student at Stanford University in 1986.

February 9 – In 1979, Baseball Hall of Fame announced that Leroy “Satchel” Paige would be inducted.

February 10 – 1964, After 10 days of debate and voting on 125 amendments, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Civil Rights Act of 1964 by a vote of 290-130. The bill prohibited any state or local government or public facility from denying access to anyone because of race or ethnic origin. It further gave the U.S. Attorney General the power to bring school desegregation law suits.

February 11 – today in 1996, Penn’s Baccalaureate Speaker was the Right Reverend Barbara Clementine Harris, a Philadelphian who was the first woman ever to become a bishop in the Anglican Communion.

February 12 – Birthday of William Felton Russell, better known as “Bill” Russel, he was player-coach of the Boston Celtics basketball team in 1968 and 1969. Russell was born in Monroe, Louisiana in 1934.

February 13 – The first Black professional basketball team “The Renaissance” organized 1923.

February 14 – today in 1936, National Negro Congress organized at Chicago meeting attended by 817 delegates representing more than 500 organizations. Asa Phillip Randolph of the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters was elected president of the new organization.

February 15 – today in 1848, Sarah Roberts barred from white school in Boston. Her father, Benjamin Roberts, filed the first school integration suit on her behalf. Leon Spinks defeated Muhammad Ali for heavyweight boxing championship. Ali regained the title on September 15 and became the person to win the title three times in 1978.

February 16 – Joe Frazier knocked out Jimmy Ellis in the second round of their New York fight and became the world heavyweight boxing champion in 1970.

February 17 – James Nathaniel Brown, 63, Pro Football Hall of Fame Fullback, Born February 17, 1936 in St. Simons Island, GA, Michael Jeffrey Jordon, Basketball player, former minor league baseball player, Born New York, New York, February 17, 1963.

February 18 – today in 1913, the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority was incorporated at Howard University.

February 19 – Vonetta Flowers became the first black gold medalist in the history of the Winter Olympic Games. She and partner Jull Brakken won the inagural women’s two-person bobsled event in 2002 at Salt Lake City, Utah.

February 20 – Death of Frederick Douglass (78), Douglass was the leading Black spokesman for almost fifty years. He was a major abolitionist and a lecturer and editor. Charles Wade Barkley, basketball player, born Leeds, AL, February 20, 1963.

February 21 – today in 1987, African Americans in Tampa, Florida rebelled after an African American man was killed by a white police officer while in custody.

February 22 – Julius Winfield( “Dr.J”) Erving, former basketball player, born Roosevelt, NY, Feb 22, 1950. Also on this day DJ Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince win the first rap Grammy for the hit single “Parents Just Don’t Understand.”

February 23 – Baseball catcher Elston Gene Howard was born in St. Louis, Missouri. In 1965, Howard signed a $70,000 contract with the NY Yankees and became the highest paid player in the history of baseball at the time in 1929.

February 24 – Former world heavyweight boxing champion Jimmy Ellis was born James Albert Ellis in Louisville, Kentucky in 1940. Ellis won the World Boxing Association title after beating Jerry Quarry in April 1968.

February 25 – Muhammad Ali defeated Sonny Liston for world heavyweight boxing championship in 1964. Boxer Mike Tyson becomes the undisputed Heavyweight Champion of the World by defeating challenger Frank Bruno of England in 1989.

February 26 – Theodore “Georgia Deacon” Flowers wins middleweight boxing title in 1926. On this day in 1964., the Kentucky boxer known to all as Cassius Clay, changed his name to Cassius X as he accepted Islam and rejected Christianity. “I believe in the religion of Islam. I believe in Allah and in peace…I’m not a Christian anymore.” According to two biographies, Muhammad Ali by Anthony O. Edmonds and My View from the Corner by Angelo Dundee, Cassius Clay changed his name to Cassius X on the 26th. Elijah Muhammed, a black Muslim leader, announced Cassius X’s name was being changed to Muhammed Ali.

February 27 – Figure skater Debi Thomas becomes the first African American to win a medal (bronze) at the winter Olympic Games in 1988.

February 28 – In 1932, Richard Spikes invents the automatic gear shift. Also Musician and entertainer Michael Jackson wins eight Grammy Awards. His album, “Thriller”, broke all sales records to-date, and remains one of the top-grossing albums of all time.

]]>https://www.ccsnews.net/top-stories/2013/02/03/black-history-month-facts-2013/feed/0High School Basketball Starts Off The Year With A Bang!https://www.ccsnews.net/top-stories/2013/01/04/high-school-basketball-starts-off-the-year-with-a-bang/
https://www.ccsnews.net/top-stories/2013/01/04/high-school-basketball-starts-off-the-year-with-a-bang/#respondFri, 04 Jan 2013 20:02:40 +0000http://www.ccsnews.net/?p=1972 Short-handed for their opening game of the new year, the high school boys came out strong against Noor Ul-Iman to start a tough stretch of games. Led by senior forward, CJ Sodano, and his 16 points, the Lions pressured the ball, leading to many turnovers and the eventual 42-20 victory. Senior forward, Matt Roman, dominated the post with 14 rebounds and 8 points while guard, Zack Jackson, distributed the ball very well, to the tune of 6 assists. They now look to come together next Tuesday, January 8th to continue their run with a victory against Darul Argam.

A new year began with a new look for the Lady Lions basketball squad. Despite having many of their players sick or unavailable, the girls came out against Noor Ul-Iman with a convincing 20+ point victory. Junior, Brooke Corcione, led the way for the Lions with 16 points, while senior, Julianne Purves, chipped in with 8. Forward, Kelly MacGorman, had one of her best games of the year by rebounding on both sides of the court and making her inside shots. The girls look to continue their impressive 2013 season against Henry Hudson on Friday, January 11th.

All CCS students and families are invited to celebrate the birth of Jesus at the Old Bridge Rotary Senior Housing Complex. This event is taking place this Friday, December 7th and is sure to be a fun and exciting night for everyone. Carol Comins and Patty Brock, the Event Coordinators, ask that volunteers arrive at 6:45pm so as not to miss the fun and festivities.

We will be celebrating with Christmas Caroling led by Mrs. Ng, games and other activities, a special message, and desserts.

If your student or family would like to attend or contribute a dessert, please contact Carol Comins at paxtonad@comcast.net and or (732) 935-9727.

]]>https://www.ccsnews.net/uncategorized/2012/12/02/student-service-opportunity-december-7th-celebrate-christmas-at-the-old-bridge-senior-housing-complex/feed/0Elena Paxton and Joshua Comins serve at the Walk for Lifehttps://www.ccsnews.net/uncategorized/2012/09/30/elena-paxton-and-joshua-comins-serve-at-the-walk-for-life/
https://www.ccsnews.net/uncategorized/2012/09/30/elena-paxton-and-joshua-comins-serve-at-the-walk-for-life/#respondSun, 30 Sep 2012 18:48:23 +0000http://www.ccsnews.net/?p=1817Calvary Christian School High School students, Elena Paxton and Joshua Comins, served at the Solutions Pregnancy and Health Center’s Annual Walk for Life fundraising event. The 2012 Walk for Life took place at Belmar Boardwalk this year. Walkers met at the John Taylor Pavilion on Sunday, September 30th. to show their support.

The mission of the pregnancy center is guiding individuals to make informed choices relating to unplanned pregnancy and sexual health. People who donated to the walk are helping young women receive compassionate help and hope, free comprehensive health services and life-affirming alternatives to abortion.

Calvary Christian High School students, Joshua Comins and Elena Paxton, served at the “Walk for Life.” The event was Solutions Pregnancy and Health Center’s annual fundraising event.

]]>https://www.ccsnews.net/lifestyle/2012/09/30/cchs-students-serve-at-solutions-walk-for-life/feed/0CCHS Seniors Are First NHS Inducteeshttps://www.ccsnews.net/top-stories/2012/09/30/cchs-juniors-are-first-nhs-inductees/
https://www.ccsnews.net/top-stories/2012/09/30/cchs-juniors-are-first-nhs-inductees/#respondSun, 30 Sep 2012 11:33:35 +0000http://www.ccsnews.net/?p=1792Calvary Christian High School (CCHS) honored its first two inductees into the National Honor Society (NHS). Two CCHS Seniors, Julianne Purves and Zoe Etuke, were both inducted into the CCHS chapter of the NHS at a ceremony on Thursday, September 27th, at Ponte Vecchio in Old Bridge, NJ.

The National Honor Society is the nation’s premier organization established to recognize outstanding high school students. More than just an honor roll, NHS serves to honor those students who have demonstrated excellence in the areas of Scholarship, Leadership, Service, Character and Discipleship (CCHS chapter only). These characteristics have been associated with membership in the organization since their beginnings in 1921 and 1929.

Today, it is estimated that more than one million students participate in activities of the NHS. NHS chapters are found in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, many U.S. Territories, and Canada. Chapter membership not only recognizes students for their accomplishments, but challenges them to develop further through active involvement in school activities and community service.

]]>https://www.ccsnews.net/top-stories/2012/09/30/cchs-juniors-are-first-nhs-inductees/feed/0Mrs. Sizemore Joins The CCS Staff To Pioneer A New Latin Instruction Programhttps://www.ccsnews.net/uncategorized/2012/08/04/mrs-sizemore-joins-the-ccs-staff-to-pioneer-a-new-latin-instruction-program/
https://www.ccsnews.net/uncategorized/2012/08/04/mrs-sizemore-joins-the-ccs-staff-to-pioneer-a-new-latin-instruction-program/#respondSun, 05 Aug 2012 00:23:02 +0000http://www.ccsnews.net/?p=1728Believe it or not, Latin is one of the most useful classes a student can take in High School.

If you have been through High School, think about your own experience, or lack thereof, with Latin! Nine times out of ten, the person who took Latin in High School is incredibly grateful that he or she had taken it and, nine times out of ten, the people who did not take Latin in High School wishes that they would have! Why is that, do you think?

Latin at Calvary Christian School will put its students heads above the rest! That’s why we are thrilled to welcome Mrs. Sizemore to our staff this year.

Mrs. Sizemore’s students will undoubtedly score better on the SAT, make better grades in their other classes (especially English, Social Studies, and Science), enjoy school just a little bit more, and be better prepared for college!

Here is why:

IncreasedSAT scores (2008 data & 2009 data) – It has been proven time and time again that taking at least two years of Latin will increase verbal SAT scores on average by 100 points. Thisis even over studentswho take other foreign languages. Latin studentsdothis year after year because they are constantly learning how to think analytically and critically. The curriculum emphasizes learning the Latin words and prefixes which show up today in over sixty percent of the English that we speak daily!

Success in other classes – Our language, system of thought, political system, and much of our culture is based on the classical tradition. The Latin curriculum bleeds over into almost every other discipline (especially English, and other foreign languages). In fact, Mrs. Sizemore will also be seen in several other classrooms throughout the year guest lecturing in World History classes about Rome and Greece and also in English classes enlightening students with the background of Julius Caesar and the Roman Republic.

It looks good on transcripts – What will separate you from the rest of the pack? Colleges are looking for that extra qualification to separate the acceptances from the rejections. The stigma alone that Latin is a difficult language says a lot about the prospective applicant. Latin can be and often is that extra push that applicants have.

Preparation for a multitude of careers – The benefits of Latin in preparing students for a future in the legal profession, the medical field, and in writing are well documented, but did you know that employers in Silicon Valley, who must train their employees on the job, are now looking for college graduates who have proved their worth in school with a Classical education?

Appreciation of Life! – A classical education offers its students insight into the finer points of life. Suddenly, legal references, allusions in literature and in movies, and our own language, make complete sense! Latin can supply the firm foundation for making the right decisions in college and beyond!